So now that I had toured
my heart out, what was left to do, everyone say it all together: EAT!
It was time for my
birthday lunch. I knew just where I wanted to go: La Forge Casino Restaurant. It is a great place in
the heart of Newport. I went there the last time I was in town and it is just a
local restaurant with a great menu that never disappoints. You never have to
wait for a table, the service is great, and the food is delicious. Last time I
tried a lobster roll for the very first time and the Food Network recommended
this one. It was amazing. This time I went for a burger with avocado. It was
definitely one of the best I have ever had. It was moist, not over cooked, just
right. It wasn’t anything fancy but when something is done right it is just
right. There is nothing better than that. But the part that I loved the most
has nothing to do with the food. I love that it is next to the International
Tennis Hall of Fame. I had no idea there was one and I haven’t gone inside but
that random trivia makes this lunch spot seem more original and special. So now
when I say I go to “my” Newport lunch spot you will know what to look for.
After this delicious lunch it was
naptime. We were off to the hotel to relax and change for dinner. This was our
intermission. I could not wait for act two this was a restaurant I had been
reading about for over a month.
My birthday dinner was at 22 Bowen’s
Wine Bar and Grille at the Wharf. The Wharf in Newport is like the South Street
Seaport in New York City, Chicago’s Navy Pier, and San Francisco’s Pier 39.
Each of these water front properties is known are as popular tourist
attractions in their own right for the shopping, entertainment, and fine dining
they offer.
While it was winter I still intended
to have my birthday dinner at the Wharf. It was a weekday so it would be quiet
but the lights on the water in this cold, wet, evening still seemed so pretty
and elegant in my mind. Plus once I read the menu I was hooked.
Inside the restaurant has all the
charm I hoped it would have. There was the dark wood, twinkling lights, and
candles everywhere. There was music playing softy in the background. It was
just the right atmosphere for a dinner where you can actually here what your
cohorts are saying. You can share food, memories, laughs, yet the tables are
spread out enough that you do not hear what is going on at other tables. Here
too the service was impeccable. That was only to be followed by literally one
of the best meals of my life. Ask anyone, how often I have mentioned this meal
in the two months since this trip. I have lost count.
So what did I eat that was so
memorable? We’ll for starters we shared a Caesar salad.
Then I had my very first bowl of
white clam chowder soup. I figured when in Rome……….My God was this
goooooooooood!! It might have ruined me for soup for the rest of my life,
certainly for this kind soup anyways. I miss this most of all scarecrow.
Next up was the entrée. Truth be told
I was already full but this still was exciting. My mother got the grilled filet
mignon with whipped blue cheese, and my friend and I both got the chiptole
shrimp and linguini. It is hard to say which I liked better. They were both to
die for in their own way. I am heartbroken to say I only got maybe a third of a
way through mine before I had to admit defeat. I wish I could get some
delivered right now. I knew then I would be craving it in the future and there
would be nothing I could do about it. I couldn’t get another bite in. I had to
save room for dessert. It was my birthday after all.
For the final course we ordered the
butterscotch banana cake and key lime pie. As far as the first I have never
tasted anything more decadent or necessary. As for the key lime that was the
best version you can imagine. But here too we only got a few bites in before it
had to be pried from my hands.
After such an amazing dinner and day
there was nothing more I could ask for. I was happy to put my head to my pillow
and be grateful for all that I had.
Tomorrow would be my last day away.
Tomorrow was another day.
For My Favorite Places to
Eat in Newport:
Tomorrow- For My Birthday Getaway That Brought Me Back to New
England: Rhode Island/Conclusion and Future Itinerary……………………………………………………………………….................
Comments
Post a Comment